A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Femi Adeoye, on Friday said that children exposed to sexual abuse and domestic violence would have chances of developing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Adeoye, a Consultant at the Federal Neuro-psychiatrist Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the consultant said that PTSD in children could last for months or years into adulthood, if not well managed. PTSD is a mental illness that results from exposure to trauma involving death or threat.`

He expressed regrets that poverty, ignorance on the part of family members and child labour subjected children to traumatic events.

According to him, traumatic events deeply affects the child’s view of himself or herself and of the world.

“Sexual abuse has wide-ranging impacts on a child’s ability to have stable and fulfilling romantic relationships during adult years,“ Adeoye said.

He said that females were more likely to develop PTSD than males, whereas males were more likely to exhibit conduct disorder and criminal behaviour after a trauma. Adding that PTSD could be managed in children through family support.

According to him, family support is a major factor on how a child experiences and adapts to victimisation. (NAN)